RRR - Rehoboth Race Report

NOTE: HOOP.LA stopped letting me load photos about half way though so this bloop is missing some goodies.

This should probably be titled Random Rehoboth Ramblings. This wasn't a key race for me as it was for others. If you've haven't had a chance to read the posts from the BQers and the Trophy Winners and the PRers, you need to. They are some amazing stories.

I'll just give you a quick summary of my race and the weekend in general, throw in a bunch of pics (maybe even some you haven't seen yet), and then ramble on with some of my thoughts about how incredible Loopsers are. Because, as most of us know, Loopfests are not about any one Loopster--they're about ALL Loopsters (whether they actually make the event or not).

THE RACE (I'll make this quick):

In the starting corral, I decided I'd shoot for a sub-4. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it wasn't. I really hadn't trained properly since Marshall. I huddled in the masses with Loopsters and one random stranger until the start and then set out at about an 8:50 pace. I got to run with Compulsive Runner for a bit and a fellow Marathon Maniac who was shooting for a sub-4 (he got it!). I saw a lot of the Loopsters running the half on their way back in. I tried to shout encouragement at them all, but missed a few. They were running faster than my brain could register faces. But it was great seeing Hoosier Jill, Gingersnap, Pearl Girl, and the Blevins' all in one short stretch.

I yelled to Mr. Bacon at about mile 7 and heard a familiar voice right behind me call out to him, too. Thus began the best part of my run. Unlikely Runner and I got to log almost two miles together. If you have that special running buddy who just "gets" you and you can run any pace with for any distance and not even think about it…that's what running with her was like. If we lived in the same town, I'd want to run with her daily. I cannot wait for Shamrock in March as she is giving me the honor of letting me run with her the entire 8K!

Get out of the way, lady! Can't you see you're ruining our pic???

The split for the half came way too soon and I was on my own again. I was keeping it at right around 9 all through Cape Henlopen Park. Most runners complained about this stretch, but I liked it. Especially since it allowed me to see ZamGirl 3 times at the mini out-and-backs. I told her I'd catch her, but never did

At Mile 18, I was still on pace for a 4, but at Mile 19 I knew it was not to be. Around Mile 24, Compulsive Runner passed me well on pace for her BQ. She was still running strong! No bonking for her. As much as I wanted to run with her, my legs just wouldn't let me, but she inspired me to keep on going. Just as I passed the Lighthouse coming into town came the third highlight of the race, Corc pulled up along side me to run me in. I hadn't got to talk to her much that weekend and am surprised she even recognized me. And now this gorgeous 2nd Overall Female for the half is running with ME!?!? What a great pick me up!

Notice how we're in step? I do that without thinking whenever I run or walk with somebody. You'd think I've been in the military or something.

Corc is behind me, heading back to bring in the next Loopster, but you can see what a boost it was for me… (Thanks to runningplaces9919 for the great pics) [guy behind me never caught us 'cuz I was flying'!]

I finished in 4:07:45. I'll take it.

THE REST

Huge props to Mrs. Cupcake for not only supporting my attendance, but also coming along for the weekend. She is as much a non-runner as you'll find (she calls me a Jogger when she's mad at me), but spent the weekend after she got off crutches and into a walking cast with me and my crazy runner friends. We had a lot of fun at Dogfish Head:

Insert cool pic Hoosier Jill took of DW and I at Dogfish

The weekend started early for me with B and VBlevins, HotPinkSneakers, Bangle, ZamGirl, Pegleg, DW and I loaded up the party van, picked up KevHash and headed east!

We got to the house without incident, which was surprising considering who was driving.

Got to the house and met a bunch of new and old friends. Although the new friends seemed like old friends. The problem with Loopfests for me is that I don't get enough time to spend with all of the people I want to. Speaking of those I didn't get to spend enough time with, Biscuit Pusher and her awesome husband made a wonderful breakfast on Sunday and she make the most UH.MAY.ZING cookies...

UH.MAY.ZING!

Post race was great! I was (am) so happy for the BQers! And also the PRers, the award winners, and the first timers Hanging out with you in the tent was cool, but unfortunately, I left before the conga line

I won't mention much about the Purple Parrot except thanks to John for not letting be buy a drink all night. and I was really disappointed Quadracool didn't ask me to dance.

The rest of the weekend was a great time. One of the highlights was when PegLeg gave me the book she made of my sign. It's a wonderful keepsake and Carla, the lady from work who made the sign for me last MCM. She's taking the book after the new year to show all of her friends who help her make MCM signs. Then it'll be on my coffee table for all to see.

Insert cool pic of Carla and the Colonel looking at the book

The weekend was far too short, so DW and I had to spend the all Tuesday afternoon back at Chez Belvins to end Rehoboth Loopfest like it started.

Insert cool pic of VBlevins and I at her place, Day 6

I'll give a final shout out to the Blevins', everybody who took care of MJ, and those that helped around the house.

And since Hoop.La hates me, I'll finish with all of the pics I could load. Maybe I'll get to edit them in later or can add them to the comments.

It was great hanging out with you and Mrs. Cupcake. You helped make the weekend run very smoothly. Thanks for the ride to the airport on Monday. Next time we are at a Loopfest together, I think we need to get a picture taken together.....I feel a little left out! Just kidding. Hope to see you soon!

SUCH a fun weekend! Thanks again for driving and delivering each of us safely to our destinations. :-) It was great getting to see you on the course. I really was hoping you would catch up to me, so we could've ran together. Maybe soon. . .

Wonderful recap of a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for all your driving! Of course it was awesome to see you again and get to hang out more, and it was so great to spend some time with Mrs. Cupcake too!

It was an honor to finally meet you. It will be nice to cross paths again at Rocky Raccoon where the setting will be a little smaller. Get a chance to talk more. You're a great guy and you seem to be a magnet for all the women

So glad to have shared the weekend with you and MrsCupcake. Yesterday when I went out for my run - one week after Rehoboth - I was trying to wrap my mind around how in the world you were able to run a second sub-4 seven days after your first one - then do it again 7 days later. Astounding.

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